Kolkata: The road to the maiden call-up to team India had not been easy for Ravi Bishnoi. The Jodhpur native once had to labor at a cricket stadium to be fit for training, then excelled at the 2020 U-19 World Cup, earned a contract with Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League- marking the beginning of his silver lining story.
Bishnoi was broken down a few years back after being rejected from the Rajasthan U-19 circuit trials. Those days seemed a distant memory when he caught the cricketing world’s attention, helping India colts to a runner-up finish in South Africa two years ago.
However, Bishnoi’s hard effort paid off when he was called and bowled a talented state team U-19 batter twice in his first two deliveries. That incredible performance convinced the selectors that he would shine. Bishnoi took five wickets in the opening game of the Vinoo Mankad Trophy and hadn’t looked back since.
In 2018, as his 12th board exams were looming, he was allowed to bowl net for Rajasthan Royals. He sought counsel from his two coaches on the subject, after which he resumed cricket practice and skipped his board examinations. That was the year when Ravi’s leg spin made his mark in the cricket world.
Surprisingly, Bishnoi claimed that spin was never his first choice; instead, he aspired to be a medium pacer. Pathan and Pradyot Singh, Bishnoi’s two instructors whom he referred to as brothers, said Bishnoi lacked the physicality to be a pacer. “They told me to bowl leg-spin, I started to bowl and soon they felt I should take this seriously,” Bishnoi explained.
For the boy from Jodhpur, the previous few days had been exciting as well. Before next month’s major auction, he had been one of three players selected in the draught by the new IPL Lucknow club, boosting his income to Rs 4 crore.
Bishnoi was picked in the ODI and T20 teams for the home series against the Caribbean men on Wednesday, while he was named in the India squad on Thursday.
And here we go…. 😍
Maiden ODI and T20I call-up for @bishnoi0056! 🤩Way to go, champ!🙌
📸: @ICC #LucknowSuperGiants #TeamIndia #INDvWI pic.twitter.com/BVK60Oi6jE
— Lucknow Super Giants (@LucknowIPL) January 26, 2022
Bishnoi remembered how Anil Kumble supported him along the road after being selected for the national squad for the forthcoming home series against the West Indies. Bishnoi has continued to consider Kumble’s advice and intends to adopt it.
He has played 17 matches in his List-A career and has taken 24 wickets, while in T20, 49 wickets in 42 matches. He has taken 24 wickets in 23 IPL matches.
